ITX Llama MIDI Options
The ITX Llama is equipped with several distinct options for MIDI playback, including genuine OPL-3 via an add-in module, on-chip emulated OPL-3 provided by the Crystal sound chip, Wavetable header for general MIDI add-on modules and a pair of headers for attaching a Raspberry Pi running mt32-pi for authentic Roland MT-32 support.
Below is a breakdown of each option and several add-ons that are compatible.
OPL-3 FM Synthesis Support
- Out of the box, the Crystal CS4237B sound chip can emulate OPL-3 through its Crystal FM synthesis engine. This is a close approximation to a genuine Yamaha OPL-3 for most titles but has been known to fall short in certain cases.
- The ITX Llama offers an OPL-3 header which accepts a custom OPL-3 board containing an old-stock Yamaha YMF262-M FM synth chip. This will provide a genuine Yamaha OPL-3 sound for games utilizing FM Synthesis.
Roland MT-32 Support
-
A Raspberry Pi Zero 2 is capability of emulating a Roland MT-32 using the excellent Munt emulator. To facilitate this as a drop-in feature, the mt32-pi project adds this functionality to a simple Pi Zero 2 and installed directly onto the ITX Llama. Audio is passed through an onboard DAC to the Crystal's Line In.
- Pros:
- provides a near perfect emulation of the Roland MT-32 / CM-32L (Intelligent Mode does require SoftMPU)
- audio is routed through an onboard DAC to the Crystal sound chip via i2c preventing the need for additional hardware besides the Pi Zero 2 itself and an SD card.
- Additional features:
- mt32-pi supports General MIDI using the FluidSynth engine and user-supplied sound fonts. ITX Llama users could technically employ just the Pi Zero 2 with mt32-pi in addition to the OPL-3 module to cover nearly all bases of MIDI in early DOS games.
- Installation:
- Pros:
-
A Raspberry Pi 4 can also be attached in lieu of the Pi Zero 2. This is a much more advanced option but opens the possibility of running a full OS with Munt, FluidSynth and a modified version of the nuked-SC-55 emulator for genuine Roland SC-55 sound support.
- A 40pin ribbon cable such as an old IDE cable affixed to the pins on board below and to the Raspberry Pi 4 is necessary to use this feature.
- At this time, system setup for the Pi 4's OS is an advanced topic that is left up to the user to tinker with.
- Pin Header: (below the female Pi Zero 2 header)
Wavetable MIDI Support
- The ITX Llama contains a Wavetable compatible header as well. This can be configured with a variety of Wavetable Synth modules to provide General MIDI support through the Crystal sound chip.
- This header can be enabled via Jumpers: J25, J26, J27
- For using a Raspberry Pi (Zero2, 3 or 4) for converting MIDI to analog audio, place the three jumpers to the rightmost position ("PI").
- For using a wavetable board, place the jumpers to the leftmost position ("WT").
- NOTE: In Rev. F, the J27 "Power" jumper was removed. Power is now supplied to both the Wavetable header and the Pi GPIO pins simultaneously.
Wavetable Options
-
Dreamblaster X8GS SE
- Status: Tested, fully operational
- General Specs:
- 128 voice polyphony
- 1024MB of flash memory for sample sets (divided into 7 banks)
- "GS" modules include a read-only licensed Roland GS sample set
- Links:
- X8GS - High-end General Purpose MIDI Synth with customizable samples made exclusively for the ITX Llama
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Dreamblaster X2 SE / X2GS SE / X2TE
- Status: Tested to fit
- General Specs:
- 81 voice polyphony
- 64MB of flash memory for samples
- "GS" modules include a read-only licensed Roland GS sample set
- Links:
-
Dreamblaster X16 / X16GS
- Status: Will only fit without a Pi Zero 2 installed
- General Specs:
- 256 voice polyphony
- 1024MB of flash memory for sample sets (divided into 7 banks)
- 8MB SDRAM for very high quality DSP effects
- "GS" modules include a read-only licensed Roland GS sample set
- Links: